The Smithsonian and the U.S. Postal Service recently signed a lease agreement for the additional space to build the gallery. This new space will be added to the museum’s existing 65,000 square feet and is scheduled to open in the next couple of years.

“Vince and Becky’s generous support plays a big part in our ability to showcase the world’s greatest museum collection of stamps and philatelic objects in a spectacular new setting,” said Allen Kane, director of the museum.

“I have collected stamps and postal history most of my life and felt it time to give back to a hobby that has provided hours of pleasure and many wonderful personal relationships,” said King. “My wife Becky and I wished to make a gift that would serve to perpetuate and grow philately with a focus on inspiring future generations of collectors. The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, with its location in our nation’s capital, its newly acquired store-front and plans for the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, provides the perfect opportunity to achieve our goals. Becky and I feel honored to be part of a project capable of captivating the imagination of America’s collectors and youth.”

The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., in the Old City Post Office Building across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the museum’s Web site at postalmuseum.si.edu.